[27] To illustrate the divergence of authorities in such matters, I may mention that while Jérémie, who took part in this expedition, calls the two ships the _Poli_ and _Charente_, in which he is followed by Abbé Ferland. Father Marest, the aumonier of the crew, refers to the second ship as the _Salamandre_. His relation is entitled "Le Voyage du _Poli_ et _Salamandre_." In the letter of Frontenac to the French minister (November 5, 1694) it is stated that Serigny commanded the _Salamandre_. _La Potherie_ observes that the ships sent out in 1694 were the _Poli_ and _Salamandre_. Furthermore, he declares, they sailed the 8th of August; Frontenac states the 9th, and Jérémie the 10th (_Jour de St. Laurent_). _La Potherie_ and Jérémie agree on the date of their arrival, September 24th, although Ferland says it was the 20th. [28] Jérémie gives us a detailed description of the fort in his "Relation." He says it was composed of four bastions, which formed a square of thirty feet, with a large stone house above and below. In one of these bastions was the storeroom for furs and merchandise, another served for provisions; a third was used by the garrison. All were built of wood. In a line with the first palisade there were two other bastions, in one of which lodged the officers, the other serving as a kitchen and forge. Between these two bastions was a crescent-shaped earthworks sheltering eight cannon, firing eight-pound balls, and defending the side of the fort towards the river. At the foot of this earthworks was a platform, fortified by six pieces of large cannon. There was no butt-range looking out upon the wood, which was a weak point; all the cannon and swivel-guns were on the bastions. In all, the armament consisted of thirty-two cannon and fourteen swivel-guns outside the fort and fifty-three inside; on the whole, calculated to make a stalwart defence. [29] Kelsey was the earliest English explorer in the North-West. Mention of his achievements will be found in the course of Chapter XV. [30] Allen sent home to his superiors a copy of the capitulation proposals of the French Commandant. This document is not without interest. It is headed:-- CAPITULATION OF FORT YORK, 1696. Articles of capitulation between William Allen, Commandant-in-Chief at Hays, or St. Therese River, and Sieur G. de la Forest, Commandant at Fort York or Bourbon, August 31, 1696. I consent to give up to you my fort on the following conditions:-- 1. That I and all my men, French as well as Indians, and my English servant, shall have our lives and liberty granted to us, and that no wrong or violence shall be exercised upon us or whatever belongs to us. 2. We shall march out of the fort without arms, to the beat of the drum, match lighted, ball in mouth, flags unfurled, and carry with us the two cannon which we brought from France.